Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera Biennis) is oil obtained from the
seeds of a wildflower growing in the United States. This oil has a
number of medicinal uses and hence, is widely used in the management of
several disorders. The use of Evening Primrose Oil is beneficial in the
management of eczema. Patients suffering from osteoporosis, premenstrual
syndrome, and menopausal symptoms can also benefit from the use of this
supplement.
Evening
Primrose Oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is an omega-6
fatty acid. Since the human body cannot produce GLA, it has to be
obtained from the dietary sources or supplements. However, the body can
convert linoleic acid, another omega-6 fatty acid, found in vegetable
oils and nuts, to GLA.
Phytochemistry (Chemical Composition)
Evening
Primrose Oil offers a rich source of omega-6 essential fatty acids. It
contains a high amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is a form of
omega-6 essential fatty acids.
Evening Primrose Oil also contains
linoleic acid. Both GLA, as well as Linoleic Acid, are the essential
components needed for the production of myelin, which forms the
protective coating on the nerve fibers, and the cell membrane of the
neurons.
Most supplements of evening primrose oil are usually standardized to provide 8% of GLA and 72% of linoleic acid.
Evening Primrose Oil Benefits and Uses
Evening
Primrose Oil is commonly used for the treatment of skin diseases like
eczema. It can also be used for the management of premenstrual syndrome
and menopausal symptoms. It helps to provide relief from the bone
disorders like osteoporosis.
Evening Primrose Oil for Eczema
Treatment
with Evening Primrose Oil has been found to relieve the symptoms of
skin diseases like eczema. It is a chronic condition characterized by
the appearance of patches of inflamed, itchy, cracked, red, and rough
skin. In some cases, there may also be blistering of the skin with
oozing of discharge.
Though the specific cause of eczema is not
known, it is believed to occur due to the combination of hereditary and
environmental factors. Eczema is known to cause recurrent attacks, which
may result in thickening of and dark patches on the skin. This may
affect the overall appearance of the patients and produce a negative
impact on the quality of their life.
Evening Primrose Oil helps to
reduce the symptoms of this condition such as itching, redness and
scaling. It also improves the moisturization of the skin.
Regular
use of Evening Primrose Oil can help to prevent the recurring attacks of
eczema. It can enhance the appearance of the skin and thus, improve the
patient’s quality of life.
How Does Evening Primrose Oil Work in eczema?
Evening
Primrose Oil helps to reduce the symptoms of eczema by regulating the
response of the immune system. It also moisturizes the skin and prevents
dryness that can otherwise result in an attack of eczema. It can
improve the tone and texture of the skin and make it more firm and
smooth.
Research studies for the use of Evening Primrose Oil in eczema
Research
has found a correction between an abnormality related to the essential
fatty acids and eczema. It indicated that the deficiency of essential
fatty acids like GLA could increase the risk of eczema. It also proved
that the efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil in the management of eczema.
A
meta-analysis of the trials showed a marked relief from the symptoms of
eczema such as itching, skin rashes, and redness in the patients who
were treated with Evening Primrose Oil supplements.
Another
study has suggested the possible role of Evening Primrose Oil in the
treatment of the patients with eczema. It has been found to be
beneficial especially for the patients with mild eczema who do not need
to take high doses of steroidal medications.
The
beneficial effect of Evening Primrose Oil in the patients suffering
from eczema has been proved during another research. It was found that
the systemic administration of this oil could improve the biophysical
skin parameters in the patients.
The biophysical parameters are
considered the indicators of the age-related functional and structural
changes in the skin tissues. The double-blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled study tested the effect of Evening Primrose Oil
containing a high amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on the
transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin moisture, roughness, redness,
elasticity, firmness, and fatigue resistance.
At the end of the
study, a marked improvement in these parameters was observed. This study
supported the notion that gamma-linolenic acid is an essential fatty
acid needed for maintaining the health of the skin.
It was
concluded that the deficiency of this nutrient might lead to the
disorders of the skin. It may reduce the skin moisturization and
increase the redness and transepidermal water loss, which can worsen the
symptoms of eczema. Hence, the patients with eczema are advised to use
Evening Primrose Oil for the management of this condition.
Another
study has shown encouraging results with the use of Evening Primrose
Oil in the treatment of atopic eczema. The controlled trials showed
marked improvement in the symptoms of eczema. The patients treated with
this oil experienced less dryness, inflammation, and scaling as compared
to the controls.
Evening Primrose Oil for menopause
Evening
Primrose Oil can be used by the women during the menopausal period to
relieve the symptoms such as hot flushes, irritability, mood changes,
tiredness, fatigue, and bloating. These symptoms occur due to the
changes in the hormonal levels occurring during this phase.
The
women may have a higher risk of osteoporosis and heart diseases
following the menopause due to the changes in the hormonal balance. Most
women suffer from depression due to these hormonal changes.
The
use of Evening Primrose Oil has been found to be beneficial for these
women to control the symptoms and ease the discomfort caused due to it.
How Does Evening Primrose Oil Work in menopause?
Evening
Primrose Oil helps to relieve the symptoms of Menopause by maintaining
the balance of the hormones. It also increases the bone mineral density
and thus, reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Research studies for the use of Evening Primrose Oil in menopause
The
effect of Evening Primrose Oil on the symptoms of menopause such as hot
flushes was evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. The study was
aimed at investigating the efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil against
placebo in improving the hot flushes.
This 6-week clinical trial
involved 56 menopausal women aged between 45 and 59 years. The patients
were asked for the characteristics of hot flushes. They also responded
to hot-flash related daily interference scale questionnaire prior to and
following the intervention.
The participants were administered
Evening Primrose Oil or placebo for 6 weeks and the improvement in hot
flushes was compared between the two groups.
The patients treated
with Evening Primrose Oil experienced considerable improvement in the
frequency, severity, and duration of hot flushes compared to the placebo
group of patients. This study has proved the usefulness of this oil in
the management of menopause.
Evening Primrose Oil for Premenopausal Syndrome
Evening
Primrose Oil can be used for the treatment of Premenopausal Syndrome.
The common symptoms of this condition include anxiety, mood swings, and
tenderness in the breasts, pain in the abdomen, bloating, nausea,
vomiting, and irritability.
The symptoms of Premenopausal Syndrome
begin five to ten days before the menstruation and usually, go away
once the menstruation begins. The symptoms occur due to the changes in
levels of sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and serotonin before
the beginning of the menses. Evening Primrose Oil can help to treat this
condition in a safe and effective manner. It prevents these symptoms by
regulating the balance of hormones and serotonin.
How Does Evening Primrose Oil Work in Premenopausal Syndrome?
The
beneficial action of Evening Primrose Oil in the treatment of
Premenopausal Syndrome can be attributed to the high amount of essential
fatty acids in it. It provides a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids
like Linoleic Acid and GLA that support the overall hormonal functions
in the body. It helps to restore the balance of hormones and thus,
prevents the symptoms.
Research studies for the use of Evening Primrose Oil in Premenopausal Syndrome
Research
has indicated that Primrose Oil can be used for obtaining relief from
the symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome. The research suggested that the
altered regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters that are
responsible for causing the symptoms of this condition can be managed by
using Evening Primrose Oil.
It confirmed that the use of dietary
supplements such as Evening Primrose Oil along with calcium might offer
moderate benefits to the women suffering from this disease.
Evening Primrose Oil for Ulcerative Colitis
Evening
Primrose Oil can be used in the treatment of Ulcerative colitis. It is a
chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis
occurs due to the inflammation of the mucosa of the intestine, which
results in the formation of ulcers.
The common symptoms of
ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, loose motions, and bleeding
while passing stools. If not treated properly, it can lead to
complications such as carcinoma of the colon.
Evening Primrose Oil
can provide relief from the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and prevent
the progress of the disease. It can also help to reduce the risk of its
complications.
How Does Evening Primrose Oil Work in Ulcerative Colitis?
Evening
Primrose Oil helps to treat ulcerative colitis by acting as an
anti-inflammatory agent. It reduces damage to the mucosa of the colon
and prevents inflammation. It also reduces the risk of ulceration by
enhancing the process of repair of the damaged mucosa. This allows for
the rapid healing of the tissues in the intestine and helps to maintain
the integrity of the mucosal layer.
Research studies for the use of Evening Primrose Oil in Ulcerative Colitis
The
long-chain fatty acids present in Evening Primrose Oil have been shown
to inhibit the progress of ulcerative colitis. The fatty acids present
in this oil produce a strong anti-inflammatory response and prevent the
development of this condition.
The anti-inflammatory effect
produced by the long-chain fatty alcohols isolated from Evening Primrose
Oil was studied in research.
The fatty alcohols isolated from the
oil were administered to the volunteers. At the end of the research, a
significant, dose-dependent decline in the nitric oxide production was
observed in the participants. This effect seemed to be the consequence
of the action at the level of an inducible nitric-oxide synthase gene
enzyme expression.
The secretion of the inflammatory cytokines
interleukin and tumor necrosis factor α were also reduced significantly.
These results demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory activity of the
long chain fatty alcohols obtained from Evening Primrose Oil. This
research supports the therapeutic role of this oil in the management of
inflammatory disorders like ulcerative colitis.
Another
randomized, controlled study has also proved the beneficial effect of
Evening Primrose Oil in the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.
This
study showed that the administration of evening primrose oil reduces
the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and prevents the worsening of the
condition.
Evening Primrose Oil for Osteoporosis
Patients
suffering from osteoporosis are advised to take Evening Primrose oil
supplements on a regular basis to reduce their risk of fractures.
Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs due to the loss of bone as a
result of which the bones become porous and prone to fractures. It makes
the bones weaker due to which the slightest trauma can lead to
fracture.
Osteoporosis can also lead to pain in the legs and a
Dowager’s hump at the upper back. The incidence of this condition is
higher in the women in the postmenopausal age. The hormonal imbalance
occurring during this period can affect the process of bone formation
resulting in porous bones.
Evening Primrose Oil can help to treat
this condition in a safe and effective manner. It improves the bone
mineral density and makes them stronger and more resistance against the
effect of trauma.
How Does Evening Primrose Oil Work in osteoporosis?
Evening
Primrose Oil can help to treat osteoporosis by reducing the bone loss
and increasing the bone density. It also regulates the production and
release of hormones thus reducing the risk of this condition in the
menopausal women.
Research studies for the use of Evening Primrose Oil in osteoporosis
Research
conducted to prove the usefulness of Evening Primrose Oil in the
management of osteoporosis has shown encouraging results. The relation
between the administration of Evening Primrose Oil that is rich in fatty
acids and bone diseases was investigated in the study. It showed that
significant improvement and a maintenance of bone mineral density could
be achieved by using a combination of Evening Primrose Oil, fish oil and
calcium supplements.
However, there is insufficient evidence to
support the effect of the administration of fatty acids in the
prevention of osteoporosis. It appears that the benefit can be enhanced
by including foods that are high in calcium, minerals, and vitamins in
the diet of the patient.
There is a need for further investigation
to evaluate the differential effects of fatty acids in relation to the
health of the bones.
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